Kuwait has summoned Iraq's chargé d'affaires and delivered a formal protest after Baghdad deposited a maritime coordinates map with the United Nations that Kuwait says infringes on its sovereignty over disputed shoals, triggering a wave of condemnation from Gulf states and beyond, according to statements from multiple foreign ministries on February 22.

Kuwait's foreign ministry, represented by Acting Undersecretary Ambassador Aziz Rahim al-Daihani, summoned Iraqi chargé d'affaires Zaid Abbas Shanshal to receive an official protest memorandum over Iraqi claims that Kuwait said encroach on its sovereignty over the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals, which Kuwait described as never having been subject to any sovereignty dispute.

Kuwait called on Iraq to act "seriously and responsibly in accordance with the rules and principles of international law" and in line with bilateral agreements and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Iraq's foreign ministry rejected the protest, saying the map was based on Iraqi laws and decisions consistent with UNCLOS and that defining its maritime domains "is a sovereign matter, and no state has the right to interfere in it."

Saudi Arabia said it was following developments "with great interest and deep concern", adding that the Iraqi filing encroached on areas of the divided submerged zone where Riyadh shares natural resource ownership with Kuwait.

The Saudi foreign ministry cited UN Security Council Resolution 833 of 1993, under which land and maritime boundaries between Kuwait and Iraq were demarcated, and called for dialogue to prevail.

The UAE declared solidarity with Kuwait "in all measures it takes to protect its legitimate rights", while Bahrain categorically rejected Iraqi claims over the shoals and urged Baghdad to respect bilateral agreements.

Qatar and Oman also affirmed Kuwait's full sovereignty over its maritime areas and called on Iraq to honour international law and existing understandings.

Egypt said it was prepared to offer support to both sides to narrow differences, while Jordan urged dialogue and resolution based on international law and the principles of good neighbourliness.